Week of December 3rd, 2012

Apple's Tim Cook says some Macs will be assembled in America again, and a former Russian banker tries to make currency trading in video games a regular thing.

Fans frustrated by the NHL lockout are finding other ways to spend on entertainment.

Do-it-yourself soft-drink company SodaStream is spending 10 percent of its net earnings on a Super Bowl commercial.

Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and some big banks will halt evictions from foreclosed homes during the holidays. Is this altruism or a publicity stunt?

Melting ice means a Russian gas company can now send tankers to Japan through the Arctic Ocean, instead of the Suez Canal.

The tech giant is shifting its 401(k) plan to once-a-year matches instead of monthly payments.

There's an oil and gas boom in North America thanks to an innovation known as hydraulic fracturing that extracts natural gas and oil from shale rock deep underground. Here's how it works.

November’s job report shows the jobless rate fell to 7.7 percent, and 146,000 new jobs were created — but how can the report be of any practical use to job seekers? We look at the changes IBM says they’re making to employee benefits and how it could ripple to other companies. Some mortgage companies say they won’t foreclose over the holidays. There’s a breakthrough in the shipping industry that has tankers reaching their destinations more quickly than ever. And Scott Tong profiles George Mitchell, the godfather of modern-day fracking.

Unemployment fell to 7.7 percent in November, with 146,000 jobs added in the U.S. economy.

Job search tips in the unemployment numbers? Get a college degree, move to North Dakota, and more

Conventional wisdom says that big-box stores and supermarket chains offer cheaper alcohol than independent shops. But private liquor stores offer something big retailers can't.

It took nearly two decades for Texas oil man George Mitchell to develop fracking for natural gas. Now his process has unlocked an energy bonanza for the U.S.

Not sure what to give your Secret Santa? Here's some advice on how to re-think the gift-giving process so that everyone is left satisfied.

Michigan advances 'right-to-work' laws. Another earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Companies may be able to squeeze more productivity out of their workers by opening up shared office spaces. And, how do you say Google in Swedish?

Michigan is likely to join 23 other states with 'right-to-work' laws. Republicans passed legislation yesterday through the state's House and Senate amid strong opposition from unions.

Alan Krueger, chairman of President Obama's Council Of Economic Advisers, shares his thoughts on what the latest jobs report says about the state of the U.S. economic recovery.

The company is one of a number of big U.S. businesses accused of not paying a fair share of tax on their British operations.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics is reporting that the economy added 146,000 jobs last month and the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent.

Shared, open workplace designs may increase employee creativity and decrease office space costs.

A 7.3 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Japan. While there are no reports of significant damage, how are the Japanese responding a year and a half after the country's previous tsunami disaster?

We often hear that women are more risk averse than men. Commentator Helaine Olen says yes, male and female investors may approach risk-taking differently, but that's not why women have less money to put away.

The news that didn't quite make the headlines. This week: Giving your used clothes away, a pineapple that tastes like coconut and the anti-viral properties of beer.

Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow (D) calls for the extension of middle class tax cuts, compromise, and Republican budget specifics to avoid the fiscal cliff.

Lloyd Blankfein has reportedly bought a home in Bridgehampton for $32.5 million. But don't expect a beach party.

Some cities with high foreclosure rates actually have housing shortages now, not a glut of foreclosed houses on the market. President Obama's mortgage-relief plan has helped, but another factor is hedge funds investing in houses to rent out.

Economists are forecasting nearly 100,000 fewer jobs were created in November than in October.

The first cycle of headlines were about Apple’s CEO promising to make some iMac desktop computers in the USA. But a day later, some experts are realizing that a $100 million investment does not equal a manufacturing revolution. And a reason to love the tech beat: Where else would you meet a guy who used to be a senior official with the Russian Central Bank, who later moved into currency trading, but now is in Seattle trying to convert not rubles or dollars, but fake gold and diamonds from video games.

There are about three weeks remaining until the fiscal cliff deadline and so far there is no deal in Washington. Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow (D) joins us to discuss the ongoing negotiations. The official monthly jobs report is out today and economists are expecting nearly 100,000 fewer jobs were created in November than in October. And fans frustrated by the NHL lockout are finding other ways to spend on entertainment.

For lifeguards on Hawaii's North Shore, the office is beautiful, the work is dangerous, and the pay is surprisingly low.

With less than three weeks to go until Christmas, what are you dreaming of? Maybe getting the perfect gift, landing the perfect job, or fulfilling your dream of buying a house? This week we take a look at the economics of gift giving, why the perfect job in paradise doesn’t pay, and if owning a home is still part of the American Dream. Plus, can an independent liquor store still survive against the big-box retailers? And financial advice for investors worried about the fiscal cliff.

Things are looking up in the housing market. People are starting to buy houses again. Mortgage rates are at an all-time low and there's lots of inventory. Or is there?

A lot of investors are on edge about what's going to happen with the fiscal cliff. Economics correspondent Chris Farrell says take a deep breath and don't make any rash decisions.

L.A. Times consumer columnist David Lazarus tackles trip insurance, low income housing, first-time salary negotiations and why on earth someone would still choose to still pay bills by check (we're looking at you, Tony Cox!).

We've noticed that what Washington is saying this year about the fiscal cliff, sounds a whole lot like what people were saying last year about the debt limit. So can you guess which quote is from this year?

The Furby is back this holiday season, and it's as strange and coveted as it was in 1998.

Democrat Sen. Max Baucus from Montana discusses the fiscal cliff talks in Washington and whether or not a deal is possible. We take a look at what the purchase of one home means to the economy. The price of guar gum — used in everyday products like ice cream, gum and paper — has been skyrocketing. There’s a battle in the U.S. over whether to export natural gas. An outfit called The Golden Spike Company says it plans to run private missions to the moon. Amy Scott takes us back to Oyler School in Cincinnati to see what progress they’ve made after a $21 million renovation. And Furbies are making a comeback — no, really.

Sen. Max Baucus chairs the Senate Finance Committee, and he says Congress will come to some kind of deal on the fiscal cliff — though more negotiations could happen after the end of the year.

The Golden Spike Company sees business opportunities in going back to the moon.

Jobless claims are down and the reason may be a bit unusual. Is the world ready for American energy? What do American's want out of the fiscal cliff negotiations? GM now sells more cars in China than it does in the U.S. — now its looking to grow in Southeast Asia. And don't have a job? Here's a plane ticket out of the country.

Home prices are up nationwide. The recent demand has been good for more than just realtors and lenders.

Apple's CEO reveals the company will shift some manufacturing jobs from China to U.S.

Exports to most countries have long been barred by federal law. As the Department of Energy considers several requests for export licenses, a study says exporting our glut of natural gas would benefit the economy.

Fewer Americans filed for jobless benefits last week. Claims fell for the third straight week. What role did superstorm Sandy play in the fall in unemployment claims?

Auto giant GM sees a lucrative market among Southeast Asia's growing middle class and plans to tackle Japanese automakers' regional domination.

With just about three weeks left until Congress runs up against its fiscal cliff deadline, how is the public viewing the debate?

A new government report says that the U.S. should export more of its natural gas to boost the economy, but is there enough demand overseas and how will exportation affect prices at home?

It's been just over a year since Michael Woodford lost his job as the CEO of Olympus after challenging the board with tough questions. Woodford explains what he learned about business culture and personal risk from becoming a whistleblower.

A new study finds state governments are plugging budget gaps at the expense of tobacco prevention programs.

With dealers eager to clear their previous model-year inventory, buyers can get decent discounts on prices and interest rates.

With the discovery of bedbugs in old library books, maybe now you'll think about buying that Kindle e-reader.

A Stanford study has found that you would think harder about saving for retirement if you could see just what you’d look like when you are older. If you just noticed your Instagram photos started looking weird on Twitter, you weren’t alone. It’s not a software glitch — it was more like “shot’s [being] fired” between the two social media giants according to Slate technology blogger Will Oremus.  

States are expected to collect almost $26 billion this fiscal year from a 1998 settlement with the tobacco industry, but only a tiny fraction of that money will be used to prevent people from smoking. It’s been just over a year since Michael Woodford lost his job as the CEO of Olympus after challenging the board with tough questions. He’s just written a book about the experience called “Exposure: How I went from CEO to Whistleblower.” And in the cellphone era, what’s the value of a payphone? New York sees advertising and Internet hot spots as the future for its 11,000 payphones.

Investment company Merrill Edge wants you to start saving retirement, so badly that they've built an online tool that will help you do it, and terrify you in the process.

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Nashville mayor Karl Dean on his city's rising star and its hope to expand its music repertoire beyond country.

Fresh & Easy stores are leaving the U.S. because of lack of profit. Meanwhile, Starbucks plans for 1,500 new stores in the country over the next five years. AT&T hopes to help people understand their phone bills with short videos. A new British opera aims to explain confusing financial markets. Kai Ryssdal talks to artist and photographer Robert Burley about his new book and the collapse of the photo industry. And Nashville Mayor Karl Dean talks about his city’s rise in popular culture and whether or not that translates to economic growth.

A year after her husband moved to North Dakota's oil fields from their home in Missouri, Shannon Atwell picked up her four boys and joined him.

Video service aims to explain to customers where their money is going.

Coffee chain plans to apply lessons from previous expansion effort.

A British academic and banker have composed an opera that highlights the harmonies they find in the world of finance , which some view as a place of turbulence.

A day when Apple stock would be ahead of Kodak on the Fortune 500 list? A laughable idea…in 2005. One photographer captures the end of the analog era.

Netflix and Disney — is this the most magical match on earth? We'll also talk about Citigroup: Shrinking to suit the times. Working out the skills mismatch between future workers and the companies that need them. The plan to use hedge funds to pay more to Nobel prize winners. And the U.S government tries to make you feel better about both the zombie apocalypse and that other one that happens in 16 days.

This morning Citi says that total is about to shrink — 11,000 job cuts worldwide in the next year or two, some of them at least here in the U.S.

American workers were doing more and making more in the past few months. U.S. productivity growth has been revised up for the latest quarter, to an annual rate of almost 3 percent.

Tesco, the U.K. retailer, started opening up a new kind of grocery store in the U.S. five years ago. More than a convenience store, almost a supermarket, Fresh & Easy hasn't found its place in shoppers' habits.

The value of Netflix stock soared by around 14 percent Tuesday, after the company announced it had clinched an exclusive deal to show first-run Disney movies.

If the U.S. falls off the fiscal cliff at the end of the year, countries across the pond could also suffer the effects.

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Facebook would like to become that set of shoeboxes in the attic: A place to store all your photographs, even ones you have no intention of sharing with any of your friends. It’s called Photo Sync and Google-Plus already has something like this. To be clear, you have to opt in. And while we’re talking privacy there’s this new patent, filed by Verizon.

A deal has been reached to end an eight day strike at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which handle almost half of all the cargo that arrives by sea in this country.

Emory University students took over a hallway in an administration building yesterday to protest a reorganization announced at the Atlanta private college that will close several departments and degree programs.

A deal has been reached to end an eight day strike at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, which handle almost half of all the cargo that arrives by sea in this country. The strike prevented billions of dollars of goods from being delivered. In other strike news, students at Emory University in Atlanta took over part of an administration building yesterday to protest cuts to liberal arts programs. And there may be some backroom dealing on Capitol Hill to avoid the fiscal cliff. But don’t expect any any gifts to be exchanged. The House Ethics Committee has issued a memo called “holiday Guidance on the gift rule.

The very first clue — Jan. 14th, 1997 — "Prodigy competitor, for short."

Facebook would like to become that set of shoeboxes in the attic: A place to store all your photographs, even ones you have no intention of sharing with any of your friends. It's called Photo Sync, and Google-Plus already has something like this.

New McKinsey report finds employers are pessimistic about how well young people are prepared for skilled jobs.

Ever wonder what it really means when you're bored?

How long will you wait for an elevator before becoming frustrated? Elevator expert Theresa Christy says 20 seconds is the industry standard.

Retailers could lose $9 billion this holiday season to thieves. So stores are trying to stay one technological step ahead of the crooks.

The strike at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles rumbles on, bringing losses to some and opportunities to others.

Nurseries spend a lot of effort moving potted plants and trees from one place to another. Robots may replace low-paying, seasonal, grueling work.

Shoplifting could cost retailers nearly $9 billion this holiday season. The strikes at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are entering their second week, but some businesses are actually benefiting from the stoppage. The future of agriculture might be in the hands of robots. Employers are requiring degrees for jobs that didn’t require a diploma just five years ago. We ask a mathematician what it takes to make elevators run smoothly. The series Black Gold Boom provides a look into the life of a North Dakotan roughnecker. And we learn about the history of boredom and how boredom affects our daily lives.

Ethics rules lay out how much holiday cheer members and staff can have on lobbyists' dime.

The Nobel Foundation's investments haven't done well, forcing the foundation to cut the size of its cash awards. Now it's increasing investments in hedge funds.

Jobs that used to require no post-secondary education are seeing 'degree inflation.'

Schools see costs of participating in a bowl game as a down payment on invaluable exposure.

Richard Karpe had his first roughneck job at age 11, on a rig run by his stepfather. He talks about the roughneck life and its hazards.

When 'The Hobbit' comes out next Friday, it'll be the first major outing for a new movie technology. It's the first major studio movie to be shot at 48 frames per second.

Are high speed computer traders costing you, me, mom and pop investor — money? Also: is a renewable energy boom on the way in Africa. And the new movie technology being rolled out next week with the hobbit — why you might love or hate it.

Today the British company "Blue Energy" unveiled plans for the largest solar power plant in Africa — and one of the largest in the world.

In terms of economic data, November is now one for the books, and it felt like a good opportunity to step back from these numbers we bring you from day to day — see what it all adds up to.

We could be soon enterting a world with no more neon. Wake Forrest phyics professor David Carroll has just come up with a better way to replace energy-wasting light bulbs, using plastics and nanotechnology. And he’s bullish about buy in from consumers. Carroll’s plastic lights can be made into rectangles for office ceilings or bulb shapes for home, none of this loopy corkscrew business you see with compact fluorescents. When you factor in the energy savings, he believes they could be 25 percent less expensive than bulbs of the Thomas Edison variety.

A new paper out claims that high frequency trading — stock trades executed by computers at very high speeds — may be taking money away from traditional investors. As 200 countries meet in Doha this week for the latest round of United Nations’ climate change talks, new sources of fossil fuel are stirring up the climate change conversation.  And politicians across the Midwest are pressing the President to declare a state of emergency on the Mississippi River in order to allow barge traffic to keep flowing. An epic shortage of water in the Mississippi has put major pressure on everything from food items, to electricity.

SEC investigates potential accounting fraud against U.S. investors involving Chinese firms publicly traded in U.S.

A new report finds high-frequency traders are profiting at the expense of the little guy.

Twenty-five percent of respondents to Public Policy Polling's new survey said they had heard of a deficit reduction plan that doesn't actually exist.

A new kind of light bulb has been invented that will ship from U.S. factories and may bring more efficient–and controllable–lighting to the industry.